Family Fishing Fun On The July 4th Weekend

Are you trying to figure out what to do this coming holiday weekend and don’t want to travel far from home or spend a ton of money — why not go fishing in northern Arizona?

So many lakes and not enough time, how true this is. There are many lakes near Payson, Williams and Flagstaff and all offer a fun fishing experience for the whole family.

How much does this cost you ask? Not very much considering that anyone under the age of 14 does not need a license. There are a variety of licenses available and you may want to check out a family fishing license which offers great savings if you have multiple family members needing a license. Don’t forget a trout stamp since most lakes in northern Arizona require it. Some of the lakes may have other rules and regulations so check on this before you head out on your fishing adventure.

Lakes to visit near Williams include; Dogtown, Kaibab, Cataract and White Horse. Flagstaff lakes include; Lower and Upper Lake Mary, Ashurst, Kinnikinick and Frances Short Pond which is located close to downtown Flagstaff.

In the Rim Country there are Woods Canyon, Willow Springs Lake, Bear Canyon, Black Canyon, Knoll Lake and many others.

Come early to get the best camping and fishing spots.

Many of the lakes are near campgrounds or great places to camp on the Kaibab or Coconino National Forests.

A variety of fish are found in all of the lakes but they are primarily stocked with trout and catfish by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Locations of the lakes, regulations, and other helpful information are found in the Fishing Regulations booklet and on the Game and Fish Web site.

“This holiday weekend is a great time to get outdoors with the family and enjoy some time at one of the lakes in northern Arizona,” says Shelly Shepherd, information and education program manager for the Game and Fish Flagstaff region. “Fishing is an activity for the whole family and it doesn’t require a lot of training or equipment.”

The family fishing license is only available at Game and Fish offices or online. For more fishing information you can contact the Game and Fish office in Flagstaff at (928) 774-5045 or visit the department Web site at azgfd.gov.